Infinity 2000 N541KP accident near Hurricane, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in a canyon, which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from an encounter with terrain-induced turbulence.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during a local flight in the powered parachute, he descended into a river canyon and proceeded downstream at an altitude of 50 to 100 feet above the canyon bottom. As he reached an area where the canyon narrowed, the pilot encountered terrain-induced turbulence and gusting wind that resulted in the powered parachute descending to within 10 feet of the canyon floor. When the pilot attempted to regain altitude, the gondola of the powered parachute impacted a rock outcropping. The pilot stated that he likely encountered an air mass that was moving up the canyon and gained velocity due to the narrowing of the canyon, creating the turbulence and gusts. He noted that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining a higher altitude above the ground when flying in such terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA205 for the full record.